Preds Sign Matt Hendricks

July 5, 2013

From the Nashville Predators:

Nashville, Tenn. (July 5, 2013) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Matt Hendricks to a four-year, $7.4 million contract that will pay him $1.85 million per season through the 2016-17 campaign. The Predators originally drafted Hendricks 131st overall (fifth round) in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Hendricks, 32 (6/17/81), amassed eight points (5g-3a) in 48 games for the Washington Capitals in 2012-13, while leading the team in penalty minutes (73), and ranking third on the team in both face-off efficiency (56.8 percent) and hits (93). Since making his NHL debut with Colorado in 2008-09, the 6-0, 211-pound forward has 58 points (27g-31a) and 365 penalty minutes in 263 games.

A native of Blaine, Minn., Hendricks played four seasons at St. Cloud State University from 2000-04, posting 112 points (54g-58a) in 152 games. He captained the Huskies during his senior season (2003-04) and won a WCHA title in 2001. Prior to college, Hendricks captained Blaine High School to the 2000 Minnesota Class AA State Championship just one season after losing in the finals. He posted 110 points (46g-64a) 43 games in his final two high school seasons.

Justin is the author of "The Making of Smashville." An award-winning reporter, in 2013, he received the Silver Medal in the Best Sports Reporter Category for The Tennessean's Toast of Music City reader's poll. In 2014 & 2015, Justin was voted as the Best Sports Reporter in Nashville. In 2014, PenaltyBoxRadio.com received the silver medal as Best Blog in Nashville. In 2015, the website received the award for Best Sports Blog in Music City. In 2016, the site was awarded 2nd place as Best Blog in Nashville. He has been a featured guest on "Inside Sports Sunday on WSMV-TV, "All Things Considered" on NPR, "Road to the Cup" on WKRN-TV, "Sportsline" on NewsC hannel 5+, "Predators Playoffs Today" on ESPN 102.5 The Game, TSN 1290 Winnipeg, Sportsnet 590 The Fan - Toronto, TSN 1260 Edmonton, WGR Sports Radio 550 - Buffalo, and featured in The Ringer, Saturday Down South and The Tennessean. Credentialed by the Nashville Predators, the NHL (Stanley Cup Final, Draft, All Star Game), WCHA and CHL.